Carpet embossing in register with print

ABSTRACT

Pile fabrics prepared from nylon carpet fibers having a textured or embossed surface and a process of developing the textured effect which comprises selectively contacting the surface of said carpet with a chemical fiber shrinking agent therefore, allowing the shrinking action to occur and, thereafter, effectively removing the shrinking agent from the surface, said shrinking serving to reduce the height of the pile in the treated areas and creating said textured surface.

United States Patent [191 Palmer et al.

CARPET EMBOSSING IN REGISTER WITH PRINT Inventors: Leon B. Palmer,Little Falls; Robert P. Conger, Park Ridge, both of NJ.

Assignee: Congoleum Industries, Inc., Keamy,

Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 Appl. No.: 386,037

US. Cl 117/11, 26/69 B, 28/76 P, 156/277, 161/63 Int. Cl. B44d l/02,B44d 5/02, D03d 27/00 Field of Search 161/63; 156/277; 117/8.5, 117/9,11; 26/69 B; 28/76 P References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1896Wissel et al. 26/69 B 4/1917 Zeidler 26/69 B UNTREATED FIB BACKING 1Nov. 19, 1974 1,655,414 l/l928 Flory 26/69 B 1,834,339 12/1931 Dreyfuset al 26/69 B 2,020,698 1 H1935 2,875,504 3/1959 2,901,373 8/19593,567,548 3/1971 Miller 156/277 Primary Examiner-William J. Van BalenAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard T. Laughlin [5 7] ABSTRACT Pile fabricsprepared from nylon carpet fibers having a textured or embossed surfaceand a process of developing the textured effect which comprisesselectively contacting the surface of said carpet with a chemical fibershrinking agent therefore, allowing the shrinking action to occur and,thereafter, effectively removing the shrinking agent from the surface,said shrinking serving to reduce the height of the pile in the treatedareas and creating said textured surface.

27 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UNTREATED FIBERS PATENTE IZGV 1 9 I974EMBOSSED AREA FIG! UNTREATED AREA UNTREATED UNTREATED FIBERS CARPETEMBOSSINGIN'YREGISTERWITH PRINT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In theproduction of nylon pile fabrics, it is often desirable to emboss thesurface thereof in order to provide added decorative appealpln someinstances, the embossed areas are printed with dyes to further embellishthe surface design.

Embossing the pile fabrics is conventionally accomplished with a heatingembossing roll or plate which has been engraved or otherwise treated tocreate the design desired in raised relief on the surface. A methodwhich eliminates the use of embossing rolls has been disclosed in U.S.Pat.'Nos. 2,790,255 and 2,875,504. In accordance with these patents, thepile fabric is formed from a combination of shrinkable andnon-shrinkable yarns. Upon subjecting the fabricto the influence ofheat, the pile formed from the shrinkable yarns contracts while the baseandthe non-shrinkable yarns remain intact thereby yielding -a pilemadeupof high and low areas to give the appearance ofan embossed orcarved product.

A chemical embossing method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,020,698.According to this patent, fabric having a pile of organic ester ofcellulose yarn is locally treated with an alkali or alkaline saltsaponifying agent in order to obtain ornamental differential effects inthe treated areas. Furthermore, since the organic ester of cellulosepile yarnsthat have not been saponified are more difficult to changefrom their position, after they are once set than are the saponifiedorganic ester of cellulose yarn, it is possible to obtain a differentiallay between the saponified and unsaponified organic ester of cellulosepile yarn. Thus, the fabric, after the application of the saponifyingagent, may be washed,finished and dried with the pile erect, after whichthe fabric may be run through water and brushed across the piece to laythe pile towards the selvage and it is then dried. This causes thesaponified pile yarn to lie flat while the unsaponified yarn remainssubstantially erect. QRQILISLIIZSEIEHE steaming and brushing the fabricin the opposite direction, any unsaponified yarn which may have beenslightly bent from the vertical by the previous brushing toward theselvage is caused to stand erect without disturbing the position of thelaid or crushed saponified organic ester of cellulose pile yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention toprovide a simple process for producing a nylon pile having a textured orembossed surface.

Another object is to provide such a process which is readily adaptableto standard printing equipment.

Another object is to provide a process which allows the production ofpile fabric having embossed areas in register with a printed design.

A further object is to provide an embossing process which is readilyadaptable to curved and irregular surfaces.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description thereof.

It has now been discovered that it is possible to produce superior nylonpilefabrics having embossed surfaces by contacting selected portions ofthe surfaces with a chemical embossing agent for the fibers of said pilefabric causing dimensional change by linear contraction of the treatedfibers and, thereafter, effectively removing the embossing agent. Theresulting product is thus depressed at the treated areas.

The embossing composition can be transparentso that the appearance ofthe product is not altered other than in being embossed. Alternatively,the embossing agent can be part of a dye or pigment composition used inprinting the fabric so that the color appears in perfect register in theareas of embossing agent application.

The depth of the depressed areas can be controlled by varying theconcentration and/or type of embossing agent. This variation inconcentration can be effected by the amount of vehicle applied as wellas by the strength ofthe embossing reagent.

Furthermore, the embossed depth can be controlled to some degree by thedepth of penetration of the print paste carrying the embossing agent aswell as the steamer time and steamer temperatures to which the pilefabric is subjected in order to activate the chemical embossing agentswhich'provide the desired effect.

This discovery makes possible the production of a product havingembossed surfaces which can be in complete register with a printeddesign. Additionally, the discovery makes possible the utilization ofmany types of printing apparatus for purposes of effecting embossing,thereby eliminating the need for expensive embossing equipment. Further,it allows the embossing of a surface without exerting sufficientpressure to permanently deform the pile fabric. A great number ofproducts can be produced by the process. They can be used for floor,wall and ceiling coverings, drapery,up-

holstery and the like, and, in fact wherever pile fabrics DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the production of the pile fabrics of thisinvention, the pile yarn employed is nylon. Synthetic fibers preparedfrom polyamides such as nylon are well known to those skilled in theart.

Likewise, the embossing agents which are applied to the nylon fibers inorder to produce the desired effect are also known chemical compounds.For purposes of this invention, the term embossing agent" is defined asany active chemical composition which when applied to the pile fabricproduces a measurable reduction of pile height, but without significantdeterioration of the nylon fibers. The exact chemical/physicalmechanism'by which this result is achieved is not completely understood.However, it is believed that the embossing agent may owe itseffectiveness largely to its capability to function as ahydrogen bondbreaker. Initially, the fibers are in a-stretched and crystalline state.When the hydrogen bond is broken between the polymer chains, the fibersrelax and shrink. Regardless of the mechanism, the overall effectproduced is one of dimensional change, the most desirable effect,involving linear contraction of the fiber.

In order to be applicable for the novel process of this invention, theembossing agent should provide a reduction of the pile height through ashrinkage reaction, should not adversely affect the printing means,e.g., print screens, and should be capable of being substantiallyremoved or inactivated subsequent to the embossing action. Othercharacteristics of the embossing agent which are desirable, though notessential, include compatibility with dye print pastes, capability ofbeing regulated by factors of time, temperature and concentration, i.e.,susceptibility to activation by a conventional steaming operation andexhibiting no residual embossing activity. Needless to say, minoradjustments in the nature of the components and process conditions,and/or the embossing apparatus can be employed to overcome the absenceof certain of these desired characteristics.

The embossing agent for the nylon fibers is applied to one surface ofthe pile fabric in any desired design, whether it be random orpredetermined. One of the easiest methods of applying the agent is byutilizing conventional printing technique such as silk screen or blockprinting. The embossing agent can be applied as a concentrate, as partof a transparent vehicle, or as part of a dye composition utilized forpile fabric printing. The nature of the embossing agent dictates thenature of the vehicle to be utilized. Among such applicable vehicles areincluded: water, and alcohols such as methanol and isopropanol. Oftenthickeners, e.g., gums, and cellulose derivatives, are included in orderto obtain viscosity characteristics demanded in print technology and toenable the embossing agent to adhere to and operate on the syntheticfiber and to hold the printed pattern.

In those instances where it is desired to achieve a singleormulti-colored printed decoration with a distinct color for the embossedareas, the embossing agent can be incorporated into a particular dye orpigment composition. The dye or pigment will generally be in the form ofa print paste ink to which the appropriate amount of agent is added. Itis to be noted that in preparing these modified dye compositions, the pHlevels, viscosities, and dye concentrations which are essential to aneffficient dyeing operation must also be controlled. The resultanteffect is an embossed design in register with the printed pattern. Ifdifferent depths of embossing are sought, they are achieved by use ofdifferent concentrations of agent in the areas calling for suchdifferent depths.

Generally, it is desirable that the embossing agent be soluble or insolution in the solvent medium from which it is applied to the selectedareas of the fabric. However, if the agent is not soluble it should bein the composition in a form at least sufficiently finely divided topass through the print screen, that is, it should be present in a micropulverized form which indicates particle diameter of the order of 100microns or smaller. That is, it must not only pass through a screen butit must pass through freely, dispersed through the dye paste throughoutthe printing operation. The purpose of this, of course, is to make surethat the agent becomes uniformly dispersed over the fiber in the printprocess so that the shrinking effect will be uniformly developed in thefiber.

As previously indicated, the preferred embossing agent is one which isdormant during the successive printing operations but then is activatedby the elevated temperature of a steam chamber usually utilized to fixthe dye onto the fibers. The embossing agents of this invention whichcan function in this manner on nylon and produce shrinkage of the nylonfibers without physical deterioration comprise an azole such asbenzotriazole in combination with an acid such as acetic acid. When thiscombination of chemicals is added to the dye print paste in the properconcentrations and proportions, nylon carpet pile can be embossed deeplywithout significant fiber deterioration exactly in register with aprinted design by shrinking the nylon fibers.

While the preferred azole is benzotriazole, other azoles containing oneto four nitrogens in the aromatic, heterocyclic, 5-membered ring may beused. Examples are pyrrole, 5-chloroindazole, S-chlorobenzotriazole, 5-amino tetrazole monohydrate and benzothiazole. While acetic acid ispreferred, other acids may be used such as formic, phosphoric, citric,hydroxyacetic, oxalic, propionic, maleic, hydrochloric and sulfuric. Atthe individual concentrations employed in this process benzotriazole orits substituted products and analogues alone, or the acid alone, are notgenerally useful because of such factors as insolubility at roomtemperature, ineffectiveness, volatility, toxicity, destructiveness,cost.

The advantages of this type of chemical embossing agent are that thereis no need for rigid time control in the process and there is minimalconcern regarding excessive uncontrollable embossing because otherfactors can be changed. Thus, the degree of diminution of the pileheight can be controlled by adjusting the amount of dye paste applied,the concentration of embossing agent in the dye paste and thetemperature and time of exposure in the steam chamber. All these factorscan be adjusted according to properties of the nylon fiber comprisingthe pile fabric. While the depth of embossings will be determined by thepractitioner in accordance with the type of embossed product beingprepared, reduction in pile height will generally not exceed more thanabout 50%, this value being indicative of excellent embossing withoutexposing the backing materials.

Embossing can be achieved, if desired, by subjecting the treated fibersto heat for short periods of time. Thus, the treated surfaces may besubjected to the radiation from the bank of infrared lamps, particularlywhere the embossing agent is not part of a dye print paste.Additionally, even where the steaming operation is not essential toactivate the embossing agent, such steaming may have the effect ofincreasing the penetration of the embossing agent and increasing thespeed of its action on the fibers.

A critical step of the novel process of this invention involvesterminating the embossing action and/or effective substantial removal ofthe embossing agent from the pile fabric. It may be necessary to achievecomplete elimination of all residues of the embossing process which maycontribute undesirable properties to the finished fabric, such as odor,toxicity and color and texture change. Needless to say, any terminationor quenching technique resorted to will depend on the particularembossing composition employed. The most useful technique for removingresidues of the embossing process is by thoroughly washing the fabricwith water and detergents. In those instances where the embossing agentis part of a dye or pigment composition, the washing cycle is utilizedto remove excess dye of pigment serves also to remove traces of theagent. Where an acidic embossing agent is utilized, e.g., formic acid onnylon, it is possible to halt the embossing action more rapidly byrinsing with an aqueous ammonia or mildly alkaline solution. Thisneutralization of the acid serves to insure the total removal thereof.

Other techniques for terminating the embossing action and/or removingthe embossing agent include evaporation and dry cleaning. Thus, if theagent is volatile, steaming of the treated pile fabric will serve toevaporate a large portion of the embossing agent content. Where rinsingtechniques are not effective, it may be necessary to resort to a drycleaning procedure to remove the embossing residues.

The invention has particular application to tufted carpet which are tohave a printed decoration applied thereon. Unusual design effects canalso be obtained when the pile fabric is printed with a multi-coloreddesign wherein one or more of the dye compositions contain theappropriate embossing agent. The process of printing such carpetsincludes the steps of passing carpets, tufted or unpigmented or coloredfibers, into a screen printing apparatus whereby a design is printed onthe surface of the carpet. Each screen applies a separate color to makeup the final design. The embossing agent can be added to one or more ofthese printing stations by addition to the dye composition, or it can beapplied by a separate station in a transparent vehicle. The fabric isthen passed into a steaming chamber to set the dyes and cause embossingand then to a washing cycle which serves to remove excess dye as well asto terminate the embossing action and/or remove the embossingcomponents.

Accordingly, in the embossing of carpet or textured pile fabric, and forall practical purposes we are discussing the embossing of carpeting, itis important that any color design on the surface of the carpet which isrelated to the embossing be in accurate register with the embossing.Since we are concerned only with chemical embossing the problem is thenone of inducing the differential fiber length between the embossedcolored areas and unembossed areas and, while it is possible to induceshrinkage of synthetic nylon fibers, it is necessary for preparation ofthe carpet that the film shrinkage be induced with no significantdeterioration of what is left. Thus, if the operation of embossinginvolves true shrinkage the shrunk fabric fiber should have a textureapproximating that of the original.

Many azoles are largely insoluble in water at room temperature. Somebecome solubilized, however, at room temperature in an acid solutionsuch as acetic acid. Thus, for example, while the preferredbenzotriazole is only slightly soluble in water at room temperature(about 2% at 77F), up to at least 50% benzotriazole goes into solutionin a 40% solution of glacial acetic acid in water at room temperature(77F) and remains in solution. Because of this, we are able to meet animportant practical requirement that the embossing agent be preferablysoluble or at least finely dispersible in the dye print paste at roomtemperature. Complete solubility or dispersability to an extremelyfinely divided condition is required so that the individual particlescontained in the printing paste can pass through the carpet printingscreen and reach a maximum area of the nylon fiber to develop thedesired effect. Preferably the solubilizing medium should be wateralthough other solvents may be employed. However, the partial or totalreplacement of water by another solvent may cause a reduction in theextent of carpet embossment by the benzotriazole/acid embossing agent.

A number of factors appear to influence the effectiveness of azoles asembossing agents for nylon carpet. These include the location and numberof nitrogen atoms in the azole ring, the presence of the active hydrogenatom on the azole ring nitrogen, the type and location of substituentgroups, the presence of heteroatoms such as oxygen and sulfur in theazole ring, the type and concentration of acid employed, the ratio ofazole to acid and the extent of solubility of the azole in acid solutionat room temperature.

As noted before, benzotriazole is the preferred azole. In addition toits ready solubility in acid solution at room temperature, benzotriazoleis preferred because of its manageability (safe margin between fibershrinkage and fiber destruction), effectiveness as an embossing agent,nonoffensive odor, lack of volatility, ease of handling and relativenontoxicity.

Suitable combinations of benzotriazole and acetic acid are selected fromwithin approximately the following broad range of concentrations foreach component as to obtain nylon carpet embossment to the desireddepth. These ranges represent parts per hundred of the total printpaste.

Benzotriazole 5-50 Galcial Acetic Acid -15 Preferably, however, theproportions of benzotriazole and acetic acid will be selected fromwithin approximately the following narrower ranges.

Benzotriazole 15-30 Glacial Acetic Acid 45-25 Within these concentrationranges, the individual components used alone are unsuitable for nyloncarpet embossment. At the concentration needed for carpet embossment,benzotriazole is insoluble in water at room temperature and thedestructive effect of benzotriazole on nylon fibers is difficult tocontrol, while the concentration of acetic acid alone needed to embosscarpet will generally exceed 60%. The combination of benzotriazole andacetic acid provides an easily manageable and effective embossing agent.

A procedure of trial and error is required in order to arrive at thebest proportions of benzotriazole and acetic acid or other azoles andother acids needed to achieve a desired depth of embossment withoutdeterioration of the nylon carpet pile. It is, of course, important thatthe nylon fibers remain physically fibers and that the shrunk carpetpile retain its original physical character as well as acceptableappearance and feel. Generally, however, it will be found that the sumof the concentration of benzotriazole and the concentration of aceticacid in the print paste will fall within the limits of 45-65%. Whenevermaximum carpet embossment is obtained (that depth just short of fiberdeterioration, unacceptable hardness or the like) any reformulationwhich calls for increasing either component should be accompanied by areduction in'the concentration of the other component, otherwise fiberdeterioration will occur.

The concentration range within which benzotriazole and acetic acid maybe selected does not necessarily hold true for other acids and otherazoles. Suitable concentrations and proportions must be determined bytrial and error.

Depth of embossment as well as the deteriorating effect of the embossingagent upon the nylon carpet fi hers is not only related to the strengthof the embossing agent, but is also related to the distribution andpenetration of the embossing agent into the nylon carpet pile.Therefore, print paste viscosity is important in influencing the depthof embossing as well as the embossed pile character since it regulatesthe penetration of the dye print paste containing the embossing agentinto the carpet pile as well as the quantity of embossing agentdeposited. Both penetration and amount of embossing agent applied canalso be regulated by the number of squeegee roller strokes. Otherfactors effecting both shrinkage and attack of nylon fibers are steamertime and temperature. Too long a steamer time or too high a temperaturegenerally aggravate nylon fiber deterioration. Generally, it appearsthat the maximum reduction in nylon carpet pile height will not exceedmuch more than about 50% without fiber deterioration reflected inunacceptable pile hardness, harshness, weakness, fusion, and the like.Lesser embossed depths are of course obtained by altering theproportions and- /or concentrations of the components of the embossingagent.

In order to practically evaluate the utility of a particular chemical orcombination of chemicals as an embossing agent for nylon carpet, thechemical system is incorporated in the dye printing paste and applied toa section of the nylon carpet by means of a screen printing technique soas to simulate plant production procedure as closely as possible. Thetreated carpet sample is steamed about 15 minutes at 2 l 5200F,thoroughly rinsed with water and dried at l80F. Then the embossed areais rubbed briskly with the finger tips or for example by means ofawooden knife handle to loosen and separate tufts. In the plant, this isaccomplished by brushing. The depth of embossment is then measured andobservations made regarding the character of the embossed nylon, e.g.,strength, brittleness, softness, definition, color. Measurement of thepile height at the embossed and unembossed areas is made by means of athin, half-inch wide steel ruler marked off in 1/64 inch intervals. Butany method of measurement is useful so long as it is standardized fromoperation to operation and is reproducible to about 1/64 inch. 7 W

However, for the preliminary determination of whether or not a chemicalcomposition is capable of shrinking nylon fibers and for thusdetermining its potential suitability as a chemical embossing agent fornylon carpet, we have devised a simpler, less time consuming beaker testprocedure. Using this test, the percent shrinkage and the percent weightloss experienced by a 50 centimeter loop of nylon carpet filament orcarpet yarn is determined by immersing the yarn loop in an aqueoussolution or dispersion of the test chemical for minutes at 215F (102C).This test affords a simple way ofdetermining what effect a selectedchemical will have on the nylon fibers and provides a means ofpredicting whether or not a chemical will function as an embossing agentfor nylon carpet. Also, the testprovides a method for determining sucheffects as chemical concentration, temperature, time, print pasteadditives, solvents other than water, nylon type and construction andthe like. Details of the test procedure are outlined as follows in TableI.

TABLE I BEAKIER TEST PROCEDURE 1. Prepare a solution or dispersion ofthe chemicals to be tested in water.* If heated, cool to roomtemperature. Weigh 30 grams into a 32 X 200 mm test tube.

2. Place test tube in preheated Silicone bath and heat contents of testtube to the desired temperature (usually 215F (102C)).

3. Cut approximately 1 meter length of nylon yarn or filament which hasbeen held at 73F and 50% relative humidity for 24 hours and tie in asingle loop.

4. Hang the loop under 50 gram load for 30 seconds and measure thelength of the loop to 0.1 cm.

5. Weigh loop to nearest l/l0 mg.

6. Immerse nylon loop in hot chemical solution, agitate gently andobserve any change in character of the nylon fibers. Generally hold for15 minutes or less.

7. Remove the nylon loop and wash thoroughly in copious amounts ofwater. Blot and dry to constant weight at 73F and 50% relative humidity.

8. Measure length of nylon loop as in 4.**

9. Determine weight of nylon loop as in 5.

l0. Calculate shrinkage and weight loss.

Dye print paste may be used if desired. Other solvents may be used,especially when other solvent based printing systems are employed Ifloopbreaks or is already fragmented or disintegrated, or if insig nificantshrinkage is obtained, repeat at lower or higher chemical eoneentration.

With the information thus obtained concerning the extent of shrinkage,deterioration or destruction of the nylon fibers, it then becomespossible to predict whether or not the chemical composition has anypotential as an embossing agent, and eventually proceed to theformulation of a printing paste which includes the shrinking material.Experience has shown, however, that while such test results prove thatthe chemical agent will shrink nylon fiber and thus has an embossingcapability for nylon carpet, these results tell us only roughly whatconcentration of the chemical agent is required to emboss nylon carpet.Nor do we know the exact extent of fiber deterioration that will beexperienced on the nylon carpet. Generally, the following relationshipseems to exist between beaker test results and screen printing testresults on nylon carpet. Beaker test shrinkage results must reach atleast about 50% shrinkage in 15 minutes at 215F in order for anembossing agent to produce even trace to very weak carpet embossment.But beyond about 50% shrinkage via the beaker test, the nylon filamentbegins to deteriorate rapidly (test loop weakening and fragmentation).On the other hand, if appears that deeply embossed carpet can only beanticipated if the chemical shrinkage agent causes fiber destruction inthe beaker within about 60 seconds. Generally, the maximum depth ofembossment obtainable without causing unacceptable nylon carpet fiberdeterioration is usually about 50%.

Apparently, the difference between beaker test shrinkage resultsobtained on a loop of nylon filament on yarn, and screen printing testresults obtained on nylon carpet, occurs because the chemical isutilized much less effectively on the carpet pile than in the beakertest. Screen printing does not supply suffici'ent print paste(containing embossing agent) to the nylon carpet pile to provide acompletely uniform coating of the nylon fibers. Furthermore, the depthof penetration into the carpet pile is often of the order of only about50%. Also, during steaming, the concentration of the embossing agent maybe reduced, and chemical which may be consumed is not replaced. However,in the beaker test, the nylon loop is surrounded constantly anduniformly by a surplus of hot chemical solution of practically the sameconcentration throughout the duration of the test thus allowing thechemical to function more effectively.

The following examples will further illustrate the embodiment of thisinvention. in these examples, all parts given are by weight unlessotherwise noted.

EXAMPLE I and acetic acid 15% and water 65% causes the nylon loop toshrink 52% accompanied by a weight loss of 2.3% in the shrunk fiberswithout deterioration of the test generally produces little or noshrinkage when screen printed on nylon carpet face pile. Therefore, thebeaker test procedure was further utilized to determine theconcentrations and proportions of benzotriazole and acetic acid thatwould cause the nylon test loop to disintegrate within 60 seconds. Asindicated previously, this degree ofattack ofthe nylon filament in thebeaker test is indicative ofthe substantial embossment that can beexpected to develop when nylon carpet is treated with the embossingagent using a screen printing techae- Th e emp ra u ew 2.15

Test results are shown on Table 11 for various benzotriazole/acetic acidsystems as well as for those combi-- nations having small portions ofacetic acid replaced by other acids such as sulfuric acid, formic acid,phosphoric acid, and toluenesulfuric acid. It is understood thatpercentages shown represent the percent contained in an aqueoussolution. Also shown are shrinkage and weight loss values for individualcomponents at intermediate and maximum concentrations used. A variety ofconcentrations and porportions of benzotriazole and acetic acid werefound to disintegrate the nylon test loop fibers within less than 60seconds, e.g., 35/25, 35/20, 30/25, 25/30, 27.3/27.3, 15/45, 15/47.3,10/50, 12.5/47.5, as well as benzotriazole 15%/acetic acid esnb ri er!... .-7j -w Thus, these data show that the combination ofbenzotriazole and acetic acid has the capability to cause nylon fibersto shrink strongly and therefore is a potenfiber properties in 15minutes at 215F (Run No. 676). 30 tially good embossing agent for nyloncarpet. The re- However, the concentration of embossing agent whichplacement of small portions of acetic acid by other produces this degreeof nylon shrinkage in the beaker acids offered no particular advantage.

TABLE 11 Y M L Weight Run Shrinkage Loss Loop No. Chemicals* CharacterWater 10.5 1.27 Good 673 Benzotriazole (BTA)***, 43.0 +6.83 Good 672Benzotriazole***, 20% Gummy mass 3 minutes 671 Benzotriazole***, 30%Gummy mass 20 seconds 681 Benzotriazole***, 35% Disintegrate 12 seconds682 Benzotriazole***, 40% Disintegrate 10 seconds 680 Benzotriazole***,50% Disintegrate 10 seconds 357 Acetic Acid, 30% 13.5 1.06 Good 659Acetic Acid, 45% 27.0 392 Good 668 Acetic Acid, 50% 35.5 6.73 Good 669Acetic Acid, 55% Broken loop 15 minutes 670 Acetic Acid, 60% Fragmented15 minutes 337 Acetic Acid, 45%/85% Phosphoric Acid, 2.7% 29.7 3.89 Good342 Acetic Acid, 59.3%/85% Phosphoric Acid, 3.7% Start disintegrate 10minutes 258 BTA, 35%lCellosolve Solvent, 25% 38.2 4.45 Good 405 BTA,%/1sopropyl Alcohol, 40% 18.2 019 Good 676 BTA, 20%/Acetic Acid, 15%52.2 2.32 Good 675 BTA, %/Acetic Acid, 15% Broken loop 15 minutes 679BTA, 40%/Acetic Acid, 15% Disintegrated 12 seconds 674 BTA, 50%/AceticAcid, 15% Disintegrated 8 seconds 254 BTA, 35%lAcetic Acid, 25%Disintegratcd 10 seconds 265 BTA, 35%lAcetic Acid, 20% Disintegrated 10seconds 267 BTA, 35%lAcetic Acid, 15% Fragmented 15 minutes 264 BTA,%lAcetic Acid, 25% Disintegrated 15 seconds 257 BTA, 30%}Acetic Acid,20% Fragmented 15 minutes 266 BTA, 25%/Acetic Acid, 25% Fragmented 15minutes 274 BTA, 25%/Acetic Acid, 30% Disintegrated 30 seconds 318 BTA,27.3%IAcetic Acid, 27.3% Disintegrated 30 seconds 324 BTA, 20%/AceticAcid, Mostly disintegrated 15 minutes 338 BTA, 15%/Acetic Acid, 47.3%Disintegrated 10 seconds 391 BTA, 15%/Acetic Acid, Disintegrated 25seconds 392 BTA, 10%/Acetic Acid, Disintegrated 25 seconds 393 BTA,10%lAcetic Acid, 45% Fragmented 15 minutes 394 BTA, Slr/Acctic Acid,Fragmented 15 minutes 398 BTA, 25%/Acetic Acid 27.5% Fragmented 6minutes 402 BTA, 12.5%lAcetic Acid, 47.5% Disintegrated seconds 263 BTA,35%/Acctic Acid 12.5%!

Cellosolvc $01. 12.5%

Fragmented 15 minutes ABLE; LIV-2920119 51 Toluenesulfonic Acid 2.6%

Fragmented l minutes BTA Benmtriazole. The benzotriazole is added to theacid solution to facilitate room temperature soluhilitv.

"Avg. of 13 runs water alone at 2l2F. "'Approx. 200? required tosoluhilize BTA in water.

""Deeply embossed carpet can be anticipated in those instances where thebeaker test shows the test loop disintegrating within about 60 seconds.However, it may occur that such beaker disintegrating times are toodestructive for carpet emhossment. Then, the chemical concentration mustbe regulated to produce a longer time to test loop disintegration.

EXAMPLE ll The shrinkage and weight loss experienced by a test loop ofDuPont type 846 bulk continuous filament nylon 6/6 (1,300) denier, 68filament, O-twist, semidull, regular acid dyeable) was determined bymeans of the beaker test procedure described in Table I using the in anaqueous solution. These data shown that by properly selecting theconcentrations and proportions of benzotriazole and any one or more ofthese acids, the resulting chemical system can be expected to embossnylon carpet via shrinkage of the fibers. As indicated, previously, itis generally necessary to obtain nylon fiber disintegration within 60seconds in the beaker test in order to provide a benzotriazole/acidcombination following aqueous recipes shown in Table Ill containing aCombination of benzotriazole and an acid other that w1ll substantiallyemboss nylon carpet. Usually, litthan acetic acid. The test temperatureand maximum fie or no cafpet embossmem can be expected duration of testwas 2l5F and i5 minutes respectively. ker test Shrinkage g Whenever wh hpreferred id i acetic i as d ib d ker test results show a dismtegrationtime of more than in Example 1, other acids such as formic, phosphoric,60 Seconds the 0nQlTatl0n one of 199th P citric, hydroxyacetic, oxalic,propionic, maleic, acrylic, of benzQtrlazole/acld embossing Systemhydrochloric, monochloroacetic and sulfuric will also Should beIncreased Order to T631126 a System that function in combination withbenzotriazole to produce p y emboss nylon p Lesser depths of shrinkageof nylon fibers. Test results are recorded in bOSSmem can be Obtalfled,Of Course y p y g T bl "L h i d t d th t th ent g of com- 40benzotrlazole/acld combmatlons whlch mcrease d1s1nponents shownrepresent the percent of each contained tegratlon tlmes.

TABLE III Nylon Filament Shrink- Weight Run age Loss Loop No. Chemicals(91) (9%) Character Water l0.5 [.27 Good 672 Benzotriazole, 20%"" Gummymass 3 minutes 68l Benzotriazole, 35%" Disintegrated 12 seconds 150 90%Formic Acid, 33.3% l6.6 0.67 Good 688 Maleic Acid, 25% 13.8 0.71 Good687 Propionic Acid, 25% 19.2 2.28 Good 348 Acrylic Acid, 25% l6.0 105Good 686 Sulfuric Acid, 10% 8.2 0.19 Good 92 Citric Acid, 23.8 +4.03Good 685 37% Hydrochloric Acid, 26.7% 43.5 16.3 V. Weak 684Hydroxyacetic Acid 35.7% 8.43 0.58 Good 683"" Oxalic acid 2H,O, 35% 19.61.80 Good 70 Monochloroacetic Acid, 25% 29.3 2.7] Good 151 PhosphoricAcid, 29.3% l6.5 +2.36 Good 283 BTA, 35%lMonochloracetic Acid, 25%Disintegrated 10 seconds 296 BTA, 25%/Monochloroacetic Acid, 25%Disintegrated 20 seconds 286 BTA, 25%/Monochloroacetic Acid, 20% Mostlydisintegrated l5 minutes 316 BTA, 25%/Acetic Acid, l3%/MonochloroaceticAcid, 12% Partial disintegrated 7 minutes 284 BTA, 35%llropionic Acid,25% Disintegrated 10 seconds 303 BTA, 25%/Maleic Acid, 25% Fragmented 15minutes 304"" ETA, 25%/85% Phosphoric Acid, 25% 61.8 1.80 Friable 315"BTA, 25%/85% Phosphoric Acid, 29.3% 62.0 3.l6 Friable 317 BTA,25%/Oxalic Acid-211,0. 35% Friable 15 minutes 325 BTA, 25%/70%Hydroxyacetic Acid,

35.7% 57.1 2.10 Good 326 BTA, 25%/37% Hydrochloric Acid,

13.3% 311.0 1.17 Good ABLEJJzQQ JEiIEQ Nylon Filament Broken loop lminutes Avg. l3 rum water alum: at 212F. B'IA B llcn/otrialolc. The BTAis added to the acid solution to facilitate room temperature solubility.Soluhlc about 200F.

"" Soluble uhovc l7(lF.

EXAMPLE Ill The shrinkage and weight loss experienced by a test loop ofDuPont type 846 bulk continuous filament nylon 6/6 (1,300 denier, 68filaments, O-twist, semi- 20 dull, regular acid dyeable) was determinedby means of the beaker test procedure described in Table I using theaqueous recipes shown in Table IV containing azoles other thanbenzotriazole and glacial acetic acid. The test temperature and maximumduration of testing was 2 5 2l5F and minutes respectively. Test resultsare recorded in Table IV.

he? ai .h9w..t at t aw "su s? of v ituted products and analogues ofbenzotriazole, representative of the mono, di, tri, and tetra azoles,which can functionas shrinking agents for nylon fibers. Depending uponthe azole employed and the ratio and concentrations of acid and azoleused, the extent of shrinkage can range from very weak after 15 minutesat 215F to total disintegration of the nylon filament within 60 seconds.Combinations which produce this latter effect can be anticipated toproduce strong carpet embossment.

While the preferred acid is acetic acid, other acids should be just aseffective with other azoles as with benzotriazole (See Example ll).

TABLE IV Nylon Filament Acetic Sol. Shrink- Wt. Run Azole Acid at ageLoss Loop No. Type RT. Char.

788) 778) Tap Water 0 0 7.03 0.68 Good 804) 357 Acetic Acid 0 30 Y l3.51.06 Good 659 Acetic Acid 0 45 Y 27.0 3.92 Good AZOLE 826 Pyrrole 25 30Y Disintcgrate 5 secs. 856 Pyrrolc Y 80.2 l5.6 Friuble 850 Pyrrole I5 45Y Disintegratc 8 secs. 846 Pyrrole 35 N Disintegrate 3 secs. 827 lndole25 N Disintegrate 5 sees. 82) 2-Mcthylindole 25 30 N Disintegrate 10secs. 828 N-Methylpyrrolc 25 30 N 32.5 222 Good DlAZOLE 822 Pyrazole 2530 Y 44.5 I l.4 Good 847 Pyrazolc 0 I30 27.l 3.9 Good 8 l53,5-Dimethylpyrazole 25 30 Y 24.2 4.l Good 8l3 S-Aminoindazole 25 30 Y19.0 0.5 Maroon 814 S-Chloroindazolc 25 30 2l0 Disintegrate sees. 85]S-Chloroindazolc I5 45 I Disintegrate 10 secs. 276 lmidazole 25 30 Y 9.50.6 Good 207 lmidazole 50 0 Y 27.3 7.2 Good 275 Benzimidazole 25 30 Yl8.6 +0.6 Good 8l2 l-Methylimidazole 25 30 Y 8.1 0.6 Good TRIAZOLE 735Benzotriazole 25 30 Y Disintegrate 35 secs. 857 Benzotriazole 20 25 Y 6l.3 8.l Good 391 Benzotriazole i5 45 Y Disintegrate 25 secs. 68lBenzotriazole 35 0 200 Disintegrate l2 secs. 825 l-Methylbenzotriazole.H20 25 30 Y 32.9 6.1 Good 741 l-Hydroxybenzotriazole 25 30 I 657 7.8Fragile 746 S-Chlorobenzotriazole 25 30 190 Disintegrate 40 secs. 832l-Hydroxybenzotriazole .HZO 28.3 30 180 Fragmented 15 mins.

737 l.2,4 Triazole 25 30 Y 20.5 2.9 Good 738 3-Aminol ,ZA-Triazole 25 30l5 0 l3.0 1.5 Good 830 Urazole 25 30 215 20.9 1.7 Good TETRAZOLE 8205AminotetrazoIe.H2O 25 30 200 33.2 4.9 Good 831 5-Aminotetrazole.l-l2030.5 30 200 40.! 7.0 Good 852 5-Aminotetrazole.l-l20 I5 45 I 62.8 28.8Fragile Nylon Filament Acctic Sol. Shrink- Wt.

Run Azole Acid at age Loss Loop No. Type ('1') (7r) RT. ('4') ('1) Char.

849 S-AminotetrazuleHZO 35 2l5 7.8 +0.3 Good 883LS-Pentamethylenetetrazole 25 30 Y 22.5 4.67 Good OXAZOLE 8212-Methylbenzoxazole 25 30 Y 4L3 2.7 Brown ISOOXAZOLE 8095-Methylisoxazole Y 30.8 6.7 Good 808 3.5-Dimethylisoxaz0le 25 30 Y 26.25.9 Good Tl-llAZOLE 833 Benzothiazole 25 30 N Fragmented l5 mins.

853 Benzothiazole I5 45 Y 82.3 Fragile 8 l 8 Aminothiazole 25 30 Y 13.807 Brown 823 2-Amino-6-Methoxybenzothiazole 25 30 Y 24.6 +0.5 Good 8l6Z-Methylbenzothiazole 25 30 N 34.8 +l9.2 Wk. spot 8442-Chlorobenzothiazole 25 30 N 26.0 +3.l Good OXADIAZOLE 855 3,4Dimethylfurazan 25 30 Y 34.4 7.7 Good THlADlAZOLE 8252.1.3-Bcnzothiaziazole 25 30 N 23.0 2.3 Good RT room temperature.

N=insoluhle or immicihle even at 2l5F.

Other figures indicate temperature "F at which solubility occurs. l5minutes at 2 I5F unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE [V Machine Gauge 5/32 inch (3.96 millimeters) Machine StitchRate 9.6 stitches/inch (3.8

stitches/centimeter) Pile Height 17/32 inch, (1.35 centimeters) singlesThe dye print paste was formulated as follows:

SAMPLE No. 278SP Material Grams Water 2 Cibaphasol AS Antifoam 73 Kelzan(I /r) (0.2'71 Dowicide A) Acetic Acid. Glacial Benzotriazole DycSulfuric acid ester. Levelling and pentrating agent 3 Alcohol ether.antifoaming agent 4 Xanthan gum thiekner plus preservative in water toprovide a Brook-field viscosity of 760 cps. at 78F (No. 3 Spindle. 2%rpm.)

There was no evidence of embossing while the nylon carpet was held atroom temperature for several minutes. Upon subjecting the carpet tosteaming for 15 minutes at about 218F, significant embossing due tofiber shrinkage was observed. Thereafter, the embossed carpet wasthroughly rinsed with water and dried. The rinsing removed residualchemicals. The embossed nylon pile was rubbed briskly.

The resulting carpet exhibited excellent embossing with a 44% reductionin pile height in the treated area in perfect register with the printedrectangle. Despite this degree of shrinkage, the nylon tufts retainedtheir individuality and, while increasing in firmness remainedacceptably soft. There was no evidence of deterioration of fiberphysical properties.

EXAMPLE V The nylon carpet construction cited in Example IV was againtreated by means of a screen printing technique. However, in this casethe concentration and proportion of benzotriazole and acetic acid werechanged substantially so that the dye print paste contained 15%benzotriazole and 45% glacial acetic acid by weight as the embossingagent.

The dye print paste used was as follows:

SAMPLE NO. 41 lSP Material Grams 1. Water l7.2 2. Cibaphasnl AS l.0 3.Antifoam 73 0.8 4. Polygum 260 (5'71) 2L0 5. Acetic Acid, Glacial 45.06. Benzotriazole l5.0 7. Dye 0.05

'4 Locust bean gum thickener providing a Brookficld viscosity of 1.200cps. at 78F (No. 3 spindle. 2% rpm) Once again there was little evidenceof embossing while the nylon carpet was held at room temperature. Uponsubjecting the carpet to steaming at about 215F for a period of 15minutes, significant embossing due to shrinkage of the nylon carpet pilewas noted. Thereafter, the embossed carpet was rinsed and dried. Theembossed nylon pile was rubbed briskly.

The resulting carpet exhibited an area with a 41% reduction in pileheight in register with the printed area. The shrunk tufts were welldefined, strong and while somewhat firmer, were acceptable soft.

While it is obvious that a number of concentrations and proportions ofbenzotriazole and acetic acid serve very effectively as embossing agentsfor nylon carpet (see Example VI, Table V), generally that combinationof benzotriazole and acid will be selected so as to provide the desiredembossment most economically. Thus, since benzotriazole is by far themore expensive component, the most economical combination will comprisea low concentration of benzotriazole and a high concentration of aceticacid such as shown by the subject example.

EXAMPLE VI Additional embossed nylon carpets were prepared by means ofthe embossing procedure described in Example IV, hereinabove, utilizingvarious concentrations and proportions of benzotriazole and acetic acidcontained in the dye print paste as shown in Table IV. Correspondingdepths of embossment and embossed pile character are indicatedinTable V.7

this can be accomplished by predying the carpet completely to the backby means of an operation such as pad dyeing. Where it is desired to havefull coloration of the area uniformly to the back of the fabric it isdesirable to predye the carpet completely to the back by means of anoperation such as pad dyeing. It should be apparent that in operationswhere mere embossment is sought there is no significant problem in theplacement of the design on the fabric. Where embossment is combined witha multi-colored print there is the register problem and the color areawill be in perfect register with the embossed design when the shrinkingagent is combined with the color paste as set forth in detail in theexamples.

It is thus seen from this data, that a variety of concentrations andproportions of benzotriazole and acetic acid are readily applicable tothe novel process of this invention.

In the production of the pile fabrics of this invention, the pile yarnemployed is prepared from fiber-forming synthetic linear polyamides.Examples of these fiberforming synthetic linear polyamides are thoseobtainable from polymerizable monoaminomonocarboxylic acids and theiramide-forming derivatives including caprolactam and those obtainablefrom the reaction of suitable diamines with suitable dibasiccarboxylicacids Brookfield 73F. No, 3 spindle 2V: rpm. Xanthan gurn thi c kencrall samples.

In r p la i n. it is I0 be Understood that the P or their amide-formingderivatives. Such synthetic lincess of embossed carpet involvesmanipulation corresponding to that of printing a pattern on the carpet.Where mere embossment is sought the printed composition is colorless.Where the design combines color with the embossment a dye paste is thevehicle gener- 5O ally, whether the operation be a mere embossment or anembossment combined with dyeing. It is preferred that there be noshrinkage of the nylon fibers at ambient temperatures, even up to C. Inplant operations the delay from printingto steaming may be as such as8-10 minutes. Hence, if there is no significant effect on the materialat temperatures below 50 C for 15-20 minutes there is ample time foroperations. That is, activation of the shrinkage is reserved for thestage where the printed material enters the steaming operation. In

perceptible shrinkage in the tufts. Generally penetration of theembossing print paste will be of the order of 50%. Where it isdesired tohave full depth coloration of the printed area uniformly to the back ofthe fabric,

are well known to those skilled in the art and extensive discussion is,therefore, unnecessary. Thus the term polyamide or nylon is known toinclude any long chain synthetic polymeric amide which has recurringamide groups as an integral part of the main polymer chain and which iscapable of being formed into a filament in which the structural elementsare oriented in the direction of the axis of that chain.

Polyamide resins coming within this definition and contemplated in thepractice of the present invention are formed generally by reaction of adiacarboxylic acid with a diamine or by a self-condensation of anaminocarboxylic acid. Illustrative of these polyamide resins are nylon6,6. prepared by the condensation of hexamethylenediamine and adipicacid; nylon 6,l0, prepared from hexamethylenediamine and sebacic acid,both of the foregoing having, as prepared, molecular weights exceedingl0,000: nylon-6 produced by thermal polymerization ofepsilon-aminocaproic acid of caprolactam; nylon-l l, theself-condensation products of l l-aminoundecanoic acid; as well asa'variety of polymers prepared from polymerized, unsaturated fatty acidsand polyamine compounds.

The practice of the present invention has, however, particularapplication to solid melt-extrudable and orientable fiber-formingpolyamides and more particularly to fibers and filaments preparedtherefrom which have a denier and tenacity appropriate, and well knownto those skilled in the art, for use in carpet, rugs, tapestry and thelike. Illustrative of these polyamides are those having a filamentdenier of 2-30 or higher or nylon yarns in the denier range of -15,000or higher. The tenacities of nylon yarn for use herein are within therange of 3-10 grams per denier. The elongation of commercial fibers canrange between 15 and 65%. The undrawn filament is capable of beingstretched as much as 5 times. It is understood additionally thatencompassed within the polyamides that can be employed in the practiceof this invention are high molecular weight synthetic linear polyamides,in addition to those described hereinabove, that have been modified, forexample, to enhance their usefulness for particular applications.

An extended discussion of polyamides of sufficiently high molecularweight to be capable of being melt spun into filaments and coming withinthe contemplation of this invention appears in D. E. Floyd, PolyamideResins, Reinhold Plastics Application Series, Reinhold PublishingCorporation, New York, NY. (2d printing, 1961 and H. R. Mauersberger,Matthews Textile Chemical Properties, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NewYork, N.Y., pp. 933-971, 1034., (6th ed. 1954), Mary E. Carter,

Essential Fiber Chemistry, Marcel Dekker, lnc., New

York, NY. 1971 pp. 91-109, H. F. Mark, S. M. Atlas, E. Cernis (Editedby), Man-Made Fibers, Science and Technology, Volume 2, lntersciencePublishers 1968,

pp. 181-295, Tech-Talk from Monsanto Textiles Division Bulletin TT-35August 1969.

Summarizing, it is thus seen that this invention provides a novel andeffective method for embossing nylon pile fabrics.

Variations may be made in procedures, proportions, and materials withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is: 1. A process for producing an embossed effect onnylon pile fabric having a surface of nylon fibers which comprises,

applying to defined areas of the pile surface of said fabric a chemicalembossing agent for said fibers,

said agent being an azole having a five membered heterocyclic aromaticring or fused aromatic ring containing two or more heteroatoms, in thefive membered ring, at least one of which is always nitrogen, blendedinto a liquid base vehicle, said liquid base vehicle also including anacid,

allowing said embossing agent in its vehicle to remain in contact withsaid fibers for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient toreduce the height of said pile, without deterioration of said fibers,

and, thereafter, effectively removing the embossing agent from thefabric,

said reduction in height ofthe fibers being in the area contacted bysaid embossing agent only and being a reduction sufficient to display asignificant embossed effect in the overall fabric.

2. A process of claim 1 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazolewith acetic acid in concentrations of 5% to 50% benzotriazole and 15% toglacial acetic acid by weight, of total embossing composition.

3. A process of claim 2 wherein said embossing agent is incorporated ina transparent vehicle therefor.

4. A process of claim 2 wherein said embossed effect is made in registerwith a printed color design on said fabric and said vehicle is a dyeprinting paste carrying said embossing agent.

5. The process of claim 2 wherein said embossing action occurs withinapproximately 15 minutes at a temperature above 50C.

6. A process in accordance with claim 5 wherein said embossing actionoccurs in a steam environment.

7. A process of claim 6 wherein said embossing composition is present ina concentration of about 45 to in the vehicle therefor.

8. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand hydroxyacetic acid.

9. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand formic acid.

10. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand phosphoric acid.

11. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand oxalic acid.

12. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand hydrochloric acid.

13. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand propionic acid.

14. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand citric acid.

15. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand sulfuric acid.

16. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand maleic acid.

17. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand monochloroacetic acid.

18. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand acrylic acid.

19. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is pyrrole andacetic acid.

20. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is indole andacetic acid.

21. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is 2-methylindoleand acetic acid.

22. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is pyrazole andacetic acid.

23. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is5-chloroindazole and acetic acid.

24. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is5-chlorobenzotriazole and acetic acid.

25. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent isl-hydroxylbenzotriazole monohydrate and acetic acid.

26. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent isS-aminotetrazole monohydrate, and acetic acid.

27. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzothiazoleand acetic acid.

1. A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AN EMBOSSED EFFECT ON NYLON PILE FABRICHAVING A SURFACE OF NYLON FIBERS WHICH COMPRISES, APPLYING TO DEFINEDAREAS OF THE PILE SURFACE OF SAID FIBERS, A CHEMICALLY EMBOSSING AGENTFOR SAID FIBERS, SAID AGENT BEING AN AZOLE HAVING A FIVE MEMBEREDHETEROCYCLIC AROMATIC RING OR FUSED AROMATIC RING CONTAINING TWO OR MOREHETEROATOMS, IN THE FIVE MEMBERED RING, AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS ALWAYSNITROGEN, BLENDED INTO A LIQUID BASE VEHICLE, SAID LIQUID BASE VEHICLEALSO INCLUDING AN ACID, ALLOWING SAID EMBOSSING AGENT IN ITS VEHICLE TOREMAIN IN CONTACT WITH SAID FIBERS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND AT ATEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO REDUCE THE HEIGHT OF SAID PILE, WITHOUTDETERIORATION OF SAID FIBERS, AND, THEREAFTER, EFFECTIVELY REMOVING THEEMBOSSING AGENT FROM THE FABRIC, SAID REDUCTION IN HEIGHT OF THE FIBERSBEING IN THE AREA CONTACTED BY SAID EMBOSSING AGENT ONLY AND BEING AREDUCTION SUFFICIENT TO DISPLAY A SIGNIFICANT EMBOSSED EFFECT IN THEOVERALL FABRIC.
 2. A process of claim 1 wherein said embossing agent isbenzotriazole with acetic acid in concentrations of 5% to 50%benzotriazole and 15% to 60% glacial acetic acid by weight, of totalembossing composition.
 3. A process of claim 2 wherein said embossingagent is incorporated in a transparent vehicle therefor.
 4. A process ofclaim 2 wherein said embossed effect is made in register with a printedcolor design on said fabric and said vehicle is a dye printing pastecarrying said embossing agent.
 5. The process of claim 2 wherein saidembossing action occurs within approximately 15 minutes at a temperatureabove 50*C.
 6. A process in accordance with claim 5 wherein saidembossing action occurs in a steam environment.
 7. A process of claim 6wherein said embossing composition is present in a concentration ofabout 45 to 65% in the vehicle therefor.
 8. A process of claim 7 whereinsaid embossing agent is benzotriazole and hydroxyacetic acid.
 9. Aprocess of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazole andformic acid.
 10. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent isbenzotriazole and phosphoric acid.
 11. A process of claim 7 wherein saidembossing agent is benzotriazole and oxalic acid.
 12. A process of claim7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazole and hydrochloric acid.13. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazoleand propionic acid.
 14. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossingagent is benzotriazole and citric acid.
 15. A process of claim 7 whereinsaid embossing agent is benzotriazole and sulfuric acid.
 16. A processof claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazole and maleicacid.
 17. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent isbenzotriazole and monochloroacetic acid.
 18. A process of claim 7wherein said embossing agent is benzotriazole and acrylic acid.
 19. Aprocess of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is pyrrole and aceticacid.
 20. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is indoleand acetic acid.
 21. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agentis 2-methylindole and acetic acid.
 22. A process of claim 7 wherein saidembossing agent is pyrazole and acetic acid.
 23. A process of claim 7wherein said embossing agent is 5-chloroindazole and acetic acid.
 24. Aprocess of claim 7 wherein said embossing agent is 5-chlorobenzotriazoleand acetic acid.
 25. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agentis 1-hydroxylbenzotriazole monohydrate and acetic acid.
 26. A process ofclaim 7 wherein said embossing agent is 5-aminotetrazole monohydrate,and acetic acid.
 27. A process of claim 7 wherein said embossing agentis benzothiazole and acetic acid.